What figurative language is "There are years that ask questions and years that answer"

Read the excerpt from “the railroad earth.” o well anyway i'll be learning eventually to like the railroad and sherman will like me some day, and anyway another day another dollar. the narrator of this excerpt can best be described as friendly. optimistic. wealthy. intelligent.

What is implied in this sentence from mark twain's "the £1,000,000 bank-note"? i was puzzled, and wanted to discuss the matter a little further, but they didn't; so i took my leave, feeling hurt and insulted to be made the butt of what was apparently some kind of a practical joke, and yet obliged to put up with it, not being in circumstances to resent affronts from rich and strong folk.

In a short story the narrator's word choice